Trucks began hauling sand to northwest Sanibel on August 21, 2023, to replace sand lost to erosion due to Hurricanes Ian and Nicole last year. The project is expected to take about 90 days to complete.
The sand will be obtained from the Stewart mine in Immokalee, which was approved as beach compatible by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The route will be from Immokalee to Sanibel, avoiding Corkscrew Road between Alico Road and Interstate 75.
About 25 trucks will deliver sand each day, which means fewer trucks on the road compared with other recent sand-hauling operations in Southwest Florida.
The sand will be placed on the beach south of Blind Pass, which is an important nesting area for sea turtles. The project is designed to reduce the vulnerability of Sanibel-Captiva Road, which serves as an evacuation route for the islands.
Engineering estimates from the city of Sanibel determined that the site needs about 70,000 tons of sand. The work hours will be from dawn to dusk on weekdays.
The city and county ask that motorists and beach-goers be aware and abide by all signs and instructions provided by traffic control personnel in the area.
This is a critical project to protect Sanibel Island’s beaches and infrastructure from future storms. The sand replenishment will help to restore the beach’s natural beauty and recreational value, and it will also help to protect the island’s wildlife.
